Columbia Montessori School provides a variety of programs and schedules to meet the needs of today’s families. We offer three and five day programs with full and part time schedules during the academic school year (September – June). Our summer program is more flexible because of vacations. The summer programs can be two, three, and five days per week. This allows children to attend Columbia Montessori School twelve months per year.
| Three or Five Days |
| Half Day |
| 9:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. |
| Full Day |
| 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. |
| Full Day with Day Care |
| 7:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. |
| Three or Five Days |
| Half Day |
| 9:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. |
| Full Day |
| 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. |
| Full Day with Day Care |
| 7:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. |
We currently have four classes in session during the morning hours. In all classes, emphasis will be given to ground rules of a Montessori class. Lessons of grace and courtesy will also be given. The Montessori Philosophy believes that children learn from each other. That is why we have mixed age groups in all the classes. All children receive Art, Music and Spanish as part of the curriculum. Extra classes such as Ballet and Physical Education are additional programs offered in the late afternoon, at an additional fee.
PRE-PRIMARY CLASS
Our beginning Montessori classroom for age 3 enhances the development of this aged child and enriches their growth with a variety of materials for them to discover and absorb. A daily repetitive routine offers the children a sense of security. Encouragement to help promote good bathroom habits is stressed. Children who stay all day will nap after having lunch together.
PRIMARY CLASSES AND KINDERGARTEN PROGRAM
These classes have a multi-age group of children, ages 3-6. This mixed age grouping follows the traditional Montessori philosophy allowing younger students to experience the daily stimulation of older role models, who in turn enjoy their leadership position. Social skills and focus on academics using a full set of Montessori materials are stressed. Children in these programs may stay with the same teacher two or more years.
Children entering our Kindergarten program must be 5 years old by September 1st to be eligible for admission to our program. Early admission to our Kindergarten program is considered on an individual basis. If you feel your child is ready for Kindergarten but does not meet the state requirements and would like to consider early admission please email the school for more information.
The classes listed below are a part of the curriculum and are offered at no extra cost. They provide an enrichment to our program and a variety in the children’s day. Classes will begin in October and are held once per week. Information for the paid classes will be available after the parent meeting in September.
Mrs. Joanne Alme will be our Music teacher again this year. Ms. Joanne is a trained Montessori teacher and currently owns her own music school. She will teach the children the joys of musical concepts, rhythm instruments and sing-a-longs.
Mrs. JoAnn Ekstrom will provide art projects for special events and holidays. Ms. JoAnn, as owner of KINDER CRAFTS, has over 20 years of experience working with children. She will supplement her classes with children’s literature related to the art projects. She uses various materials and supplies to allow the children to experience the “JOY OF ART”. Children not scheduled to come on Art day will do the projects on a day they are here or take the project home to do.
Teaching our Spanish program this year will be Senora Carolyn Cosentino. Senora Carolyn has over 15 years experience teaching the Spanish language to young children. Spanish will be introduced to the children using songs, games and pictures.
We would like to welcome back Mrs. Laveeta Sweeney as our Reading Specialist this year. Ms. Laveeta is a trained Montessori teacher with over 22 years experience in Montessori teaching. Individual sessions will be scheduled weekly for children who have mastered the phonetic sounds and who will benefit from follow up reinforcement and comprehension work.
THE FOLLOWING CLASSES ARE OFFERED FOR CHILDREN IN THE LATE AFTERNOON AT AN ADDITIONAL COST. Children must be 3 1/2 years old to enroll in the after school programs.
JUMPBUNCH: This sports and fitness enrichment program is designed to build coordination and self-esteem in young children. The program is taught in a fun, age-appropriate manner in a safe, non-competitive environment. Class is held on Thursdays at 3:15pm, 3:45pm and 4:15pm.
CREATIVE MOVEMENT AND BALLET: This program will teach the children rhythm and coordination and help develop fine motor skills. Ms. Debbie Braun will be returning. She has been with our school for over 20 years. Class is held on Tuesdays at 3:15pm-4:15pm.
7:00 AM to 9:00 AM & 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM
The Day Care program is designed to give working parents the full value of a Montessori Education. Children may arrive at the school at 7:00 am and stay until 6:00 pm. Before and after Montessori classes, the children spend time in a non-academic setting that provides opportunities for free play, fantasy play, role play, large muscle activities and structured art.
This is a balance program which offers the children an opportunity for intellectual growth and social interaction, combined with a vast amount of warmth and affection from a trained staff.
Columbia Montessori School provides several field trips during the school year. Each trip is season appropriate, such as, the Fall trip to Larriland Farm. Parents and children enjoy this yearly outing to western Howard County to pick a pumpkin and take a hay ride around the farm.
During the Winter months, because of the cold weather, the school invites local performers, such as Musicians, Magicians and Puppeteers to entertain the children at the school.
Spring time we plan an outing to a local petting farm.
The Summer camp provides “in school” programs to entertain the children. For safety purposes we do not go outside the area during the summer.
Safety of the children is our utmost concern. We do not take young children out of the Howard County area. However, the first grade and kindergarten class takes one trip outside of Howard County during the school year. For all trips, parents are required to chaperone if their child is under three years old. Parent chaperones are requested for all other age groups, as well.
Our summer program gives the children a variety in their day and allows them to stay with us throughout the year. This program is a recreational program with Gymnastics, Pool-time and Swimming lessons, Art, Spanish, Music and Academic Review. We have a summer theme, which includes activity books. The Art, Music, and Guest speakers help to enrich and reinforce this theme. The summer curriculum is on a three-year rotation.
THIS LAND IS YOUR LAND – study of the United States
CHILDREN AROUND THE WORLD – study of the Seven Continents
RUMBA THROUGH SOUTH AMERICA – Study of Central and South America
